WONDERING about the Emerging Spirit?The statistics are staggering and sobering simultaneously. We have between 2/3’s and ¾’s of ALL Canadians expressing a belief in, and an interest in things spiritual – yet our Churches are dying … If we honestly look around us, we see lots of space and more than a little gray hair, and very, very few 30 to 45 year olds and their children. (This congregation is unique in that it is lead by an order of ministry person who is smack in the middle of that demographic, but by and large United Churches across Canada are lacking that crucial 30-45 year old demographic – that SAME demographic who express a deep interest in things spiritual …
It is into that fertile ground that the seeds of The United Church run Emerging Spirit campaign have been sown. The United Church – the church we call home, has never been a Church to back down from controversy. In the 1920’s the very thought of merging three different denominations into a single UNITED body was regarded as ludicrous – yet here we are. Then in the 1930’s we lead the world by ordaining Women.
The list of accomplishments compiled by the United Church is long and impressive, and I for one, am proud of the United Church and it’s history. Did you know that we were the first Church to apologize to First Nations people for the wrongs of colonialization? We were among the first to apologize specifically for Residential Schools? We were among the first in the Global community to acknowledge and welcome Gays and Lesbians, and remove sexuality as a barrier to ministry?
Over and over the United Church of Canada has faithfully asked, answered and lived the questions of faith in the world … it has NOT been without its controversy and conflict, and today we dance along the edge of such a moment again. But if the lessons of the 1980’s have taught us nothing else – they have taught us that in the broad arms of this United Church of ours, there must be conversation – honest, open and frank dialogue if we are to remain United as a faith family …
And so, today, I stand before you seeking to acknowledge and continue a discussion about the Church, and how we are to reach out beyond our pews to the people outside, in our OWN community who are hungry for something more.
The Emerging Spirit campaign and the newly launched Wonder Café web site and advertising campaign is just such an act of outreach. It is controvertial,but then so was the New Curriculum Sunday School books. The United Church – we as a church – prides itself as being a place where anyone – regardless of race, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or even educational background can come and join in the conversation, and worship and ministry. We pride our selves as an Inclusive Church, and even though at times we stumble – we try …
Reinhold Niebuhr once said – “Humour is the prelude to faith, laughter is the beginning of prayer …” I believe that. I live that. I have, throughout my ministry grounded my sense of purpose and being in joy – not an idle, pink fuzzy smile joy – but joy that flows from a deep appreciation of life. I once found a quote from Patch Adams that cause me to pause and say – “Amen”. The doctor renowned for wearing a red nose and using laughter as medicine once said - "Philosophically speaking, I'm surprised that anyone is ever SERIOUS. Life is such a miracle and it's so good to be alive that I wonder why anybody ever wastes a minute ...”
And so, my friends – I offer to you the simple reality that the Wonder Café ads are cheeky, tongue in cheek, made you look kind of ads that are designed to catch the attention of those in the 30 to 45 year old demographic – and offer them the invitation to re-think their ideas about the United Church of Canada.
These ads are not without their controversy. I am not expecting everyone to like them. I am not expecting everyone to accept them. But – I would invite everyone to continue the conversation that can arise when people see the ads and say – “Huh? What was that?” and begin to question what This United Church is about, and what we are up to …
And in matters of faith, conversation is never a bad thing. But, to put the conversation on a fair and reasonable ground I would like to take a few moments to share a letter we received from The Rev. Dr. Jim Sinclair, the outgoing Executive Secretary of The General Council of the United Church of Canada. This letter is intended to answer some of your questions, address some of your concerns and to remind us that as members of the United Church of Canada, we are obligated to open the doors of our Church and welcome in the strangers … but sometimes we need to invite them in …
Friday, November 10, 2006
This week's launch of the Emerging Spirit advertising campaign has attracted considerable media attention and public discussion about the first series of ads produced for this three-year campaign.
In addition to the WonderCafe.ca introductory binder that was recently mailed to all pastoral charges, the following key points address some of the questions that have been asked since the campaign was launched on November 7.
A) No money from the Mission and Service Fund or money specifically earmarked for outreach and traditional mission work is being used for the Emerging Spirit campaign.The advertised $10.5 million cost comes from money held in reserves that originated with a number of designated bequests, the largest of which was the Morrison bequest.The Morrison bequest was a specific bequest that was to be used for innovative mission programs in Canada. We think Emerging Spirit fits well with this criterion.
B) Almost half of the total cost of Emerging Spirit is being used for support of local congregations and training of volunteer committees to help the church be a more open, welcoming place for all who visit or seek to join the church. We see this as a positive initiative no matter how many new members are attracted by the Emerging Spirit program.To date, there has been an enthusiastic response by congregations who will be a part of the very popular training events for those seeking to be Welcoming Congregations.
C) The Emerging Spirit initiative received approval from the General Council at its meeting in August in Thunder Bay. The resounding support at that event came from the elected delegates (commissioners) representing all parts of the country. That decision at General Council followed a very full discussion of the campaign and its financial implications.
D) The Emerging Spirit ads are designed to attract attention, elicit conversation, and point people toward the WonderCafe website*. Their intent is not to make fun of personal religious belief or diminish basic religious understanding. Jesus probably looked for a similar reaction when he declared: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
E) The Emerging Spirit ad campaign is designed to communicate to a generation of primarily 30- to 45-year-olds who have very little or no knowledge of organized religion and the contemporary church. The ads are not intended to reach out to people who are already members and adherents of The United Church of Canada. These ads have been thoroughly tested with people in the age group they are intended for. We are confident the ads will attract the attention of 30- to 45-year-olds who don't go to church, and provoke discussion among them about faith and religion issues.
F) The Emerging Spirit ad campaign is not attempting to define what the United Church is all about. Rather, it is meant to raise questions about faith, religion, and other important questions of life, and invite discussion. It hopes to reach out to the millions of Canadians who feel that organized religion isn't relevant to their lifestyle and their lives. As a result, the ads must not feel "churchy" or be what many people would expect from The United Church of Canada. We are trying to get people to consider church in a different way. We believe these ads will do that.There are six print ads and a Web-based video. Not every ad will appeal to every person; we expect that. That's why there are several, so we can be sure to appeal to the maximum number of people possible.
G) We recognize that the ads, and the boldness with which we have unveiled the campaign publicly, generated both praise and ridicule of The United Church of Canada. The latter response is particularly painful for long-standing faithful members of the United Church. Despite this, however, our confident hope is that as the Emerging Spirit campaign unfolds, these feelings of embarrassment will soon be replaced by a sense of renewed energy and commitment to the mission and ministry of The United Church of Canada.
The Rev. Dr. Jim Sinclair General Secretary, General Council The United Church of Canada
We may not be at a crisis point in the United Church of Canada yet – but we can see it from here … our population is dwindling, our congregations are aging, we are closing more churches every year … we are a Church in decline … it is hard to find anything to laugh about under such circumstances … but today, across the land many people in the 30 to 45 year old age bracket are doing just that – laughing at the cheeky ads that include a bobble-headed Jesus, Jesus sitting on Santa’s throne and a baby that tells us to be prepared to rethink our assumptions … they are not designed for everyone – but they are designed to attract the attention of people that we want and need here among us … People who want more than easy answers …
Today here in this place are CENTURIES of life experience that offer those searching young people a conversation about life and life experience … the challenge is TO GET THEM IN THE DOOR … an if a bobble headed Jesus works … well, what do we have to lose ??
May we have the courage, the boldness and the faith – to reach out to those who are hungry, and offer them the Bread that we have in such abundance amongst us …
May it be so, thanks be to God … Let us pray …
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